How to import contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi Note: 5 proven ways

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi Note cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new smartphone or resetting their settings. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can cause difficulties: the system does not see contacts on the device. SIM, There are import errors or duplicate numbers, and in this article we will discuss all the current import methods for different versions. MIUI (from 12 before 14), including solutions for older Redmi Note models 4/5 The new Redmi Note 12/13.

Feature Xiaomi – the use of a branded shell MIUI, And that sometimes hides the standard Android features, and for example, in some firmware, the import option is hidden in the back of the menu, and in others, it requires you to pre-set up your Mi Account. We'll describe each step in detail so that you can move contacts without loss or error.

Important: If yours SIM-The card was issued before 2010, and it can use an outdated contact storage format (limit 255 characters per record), in which case some of the data (such as additional numbers or email addresses) may not be transferred. SIM You can use the phone settings – read about this in the section on the diagnosis of errors.

Preparation for import: what to do before transferring contacts

Before you start importing, follow a few steps to avoid the typical problems of data loss, duplicate records, or phone book failures.

Step 1. Check compatibility SIM-Not all cards. SIM They keep your contacts safe. Make sure your card is safe:

• 📱 It has a free space (maximum) ~250 contacts on a standard SIM).
• 🔄 Supports data recording (some operators block this feature).
• 📅 Released after 2010 (old cards may not retain Russian characters).

Step 2. Create a backup copy. SIM-The card seems reliable, the risk of data loss is always there:

• 📱 Export contacts to.vcf file on old phone (if it still works).
• ☁️ Sync contacts with Google Account or Mi Cloud.
• 💾 Save screenshots of important records (e.g. work numbers).

Checking the vacant space SIM|Backup of contacts|Checking the support of the Russian language|Shutting down the doubles SIM (if)-->

Step 3: Set up a phone book on Xiaomi. MIUI They may be hiding contacts with SIM. To see them:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap on three points (⋮) → Settings → Contact management.
3. Enable the option to show contacts with SIM.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-cards, before importing, disable the second in the settings SIM-maps and mobile networks, and that's how data conflict can be prevented.

Method 1: Standard import through the Contacts app

The easiest way is to use the built-in import function in the MIUI. It works on all Redmi Note models (from Note 3 to Note 13), but the interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version.

Instructions for MIUI 14 (Redmi Note 12/13):

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Settings.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Choose. SIM-Card (if there are two) and confirm the import.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (may take up to 2 minutes at 200)+ contact).

For MIUI 12/13 (Redmi Note 9/10/11):

• Path on the menu: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Import with SIM.
• If you do not have an option, update the Contacts app via Play Market.

Where do imported contacts stay? By default, they are added to a Local Phone Book (not Google Account!) to sync them to the cloud:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Choose Google or Mi Account.
3. Turn on contact sync.

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If after importing contacts are displayed without names (numbers only), check the encoding SIM. In the phone settings go to Language and Enter → Additional settings → Encoding and select UTF-8.

Method 2: Import through system settings MIUI 12 and older)

If the standard method didn't work, try an alternative path through system settings. MIUI 12-14, where the import function can be hidden deeper.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the Memory or Applications section (depending on version).
3. Select Contacts → Warehouse.
4. Tap on Import with SIM-map.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

On some firmware, the path may look different:

Settings → Additional settings → Backup and reset → Local backup → Import with SIM

What to do if a section is missing? This means that your version is MIUI It doesn't support import through settings:

• 📱 Use method 1 (via the Contact App»).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (see Section 6).
• 💻 Connect your phone to your PC and use Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi).

Standard import through "Contacts"|Through system settings|Synchronization with Google|Manual input|Another way.-->

Method 3: Manual transfer through export/import VCF-file

If automatic methods don’t work, you can manually transfer contacts through a.vcf file, which is universal and suitable for all Redmi Note models, but requires an additional device (old phone or PC).

Step 1 Export of contacts with SIM old-phone:

1. Put it in. SIM In an old phone (or borrow the device from a friend).
2. Open Contacts. → Settings → Export to memory card (or Export to file).
3. Select the.vcf format and save the file to a memory card or internal memory.

Step 2. Transfer the file to Xiaomi Redmi Note:

• 📁 Copy a.vcf file on Redmi Note via cable, Bluetooth, or cloud storage.
• 📱 Open the file through Files (built-in manager) or send it to the mail.
• 📞 When you open the file, the system will suggest importing contacts into the phone book.

Step 3. Import to Xiaomi:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Settings → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Import from the file and specify the path to.vcf.

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The file.vcf supports not only numbers, but also additional fields: email, addresses, birthdays. This is the only way to transfer full contact information from the user. SIM, where only numbers and names are stored.

Challenges and solutions:

5. Method 4: Sync with Google Account (for backup)

If you are not only planning to move your contacts to SIM, But also back them up, and the best way to do that is to sync with your Google Account, and that will allow you to retrieve numbers on any Android device, including the Redmi Note.

How to transfer contacts via Google:

1. On your old phone, export contacts with SIM Google Account: Open Contacts → Settings → Export. Select Export to Google (authorization required).
2. On Xiaomi Redmi Note, add the same Google Account: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Add an account → Google, enter your email details.
3. Enable Contact Synchronization: In your account settings, activate the Contacts switch. Wait until sync is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatic backup.
• 📱 Access to contacts from any device.
• ☁️ Protection against data loss when resetting your phone.

⚠️ Note: If you previously synced contacts with another account (such as Mi Account), delete duplicates before adding Google. → Combining and correcting.

How do you check if you sync? Open contacts.google.com on your PC, and you'll see all the numbers that have been moved, and if you don't have any contacts, update them manually.

Settings → Accounts → Google → Your email → Sync Now

6. Method 5: Using Mi PC Suite (for Windows)

If none of the previous methods worked, try the official software from Xiaomi – Mi. PC Suite: The software allows you to manage contacts, messages and files through a computer, which is suitable for users who do not want to mess with the phone settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi PC Suite from the official website and install it on PC.
2. Connect the Redmi Note to your computer via USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
3. Turn on the phone mode File transfer (notification will appear when you connect).
4. Run the Mi PC Suite and wait for the device to be recognized.
5. Go to the Contact section → Imports/Exports.
6. Select Import with SIM-maps and follow the program's tips.

Advantages of Mi PC Suite:

• 🖥️ A convenient interface for managing a large number of contacts.
• 🔄 Ability to edit numbers before import.
• 📂 Automatic backup on PC.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ The program may not recognize SIM-cards of some operators (for example, Yota or Tinkoff Mobile).
• 🐢 Slow operation on weak PCs.

⚠️ Note: When connecting Redmi Note to PC via Mi PC Suite disable the request for a password on the lock screen. Otherwise, the program may not access the contacts.

7. Solving common mistakes when importing contacts

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and we've collected common errors and ways to fix them.

Error 1: “Contacts to SIM found"

• Reason: SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts or they are damaged.
• Solution: Check it out SIM If you have any contacts, contact the operator to change the card. USIM (On the old ones. SIM (until 2010) contacts are stored in a format not readable by modern phones.

Mistake 2: Imports are interrupted in the middle

• Cause: Unstable connection with SIM or lack of memory on the phone.
• Solution: Free up space in the phone's memory (delete unnecessary files). Remove and repaint SIM-Try importing contacts in portions (50 each).

Error 3: Contacts were imported without names (numbers only)

• Reason: Incompatibility of encoding SIM phone.
• Solution: Change the language of the system to English, import, then return Russian. Use the.vcf file method (section 4).

Error 4: Duplicate contacts after importation

• Reason: Contacts already existed in the phone book.
• Solution: Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Use duplicate cleaning applications like Contacts Optimizer.

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If some contacts disappear after import, check the filters in the phone book. MIUI By default, you can hide records without names or with incomplete data. To show all contacts, select "Show all contacts" in the application settings".

8. Additional advice and recommendations

To avoid problems in the future, follow these tips:

1. Regularly update the firmware

In the new versions MIUI Correcting contact import errors to update the firmware:

Settings → About phone → System update → Check for updates

2.Use cloud services

Sync with Google Contacts or Mi Cloud will protect your data from loss. Set up automatic backups:

• 🔄 For Google: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• ☁️ For Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account. → iCloud → Synchronization of contacts.

3. Optimize the phone book

After importation:

• 🧹 Remove duplicates through Contacts → Contact management → Unite.
• 📌 Add photos and additional information (email, addresses).
• 🔍 Use Contact Search for Quick Access.

4. Check the settings SIM-map

If the phone can't see SIM or contact her:

• 📶 Reset the device.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 📱 Check it out. SIM on another phone (possibly a problem in the card).